Japan`s quake-tsunami toll nears 13,800

Moscow: The toll from last month`s 9-magnitude quake and ensuing tsunami in Japan has reached 13,778, while nearly 14,141 remain unaccounted for, Japanese news agency Kyodo reported Sunday, citing data from the police.

The twin disaster that hit Japan March 11 also triggered a number of explosions at the Fukushima 1 nuclear power plant, which caused several radioactive leaks.

Radioactive elements were later found in the water, air and food products in some parts of Japan.

About 136,000 people have been evacuated from the disaster zone and accommodated in temporary refugee centres across the country.

The Japanese government has said the damage from the disaster could total $310 billion.

IANS